Miami Hurricanes Week 13 Preview: Boston College Eagles

Miami, Florida – Well, this is it, the season finale for the Miami Hurricanes against the Boston College Eagles. UM arrives at Alumni Stadium looking for a W. Miami lost to ninth-ranked Louisville 38-31 allowing the Cardinals to clinch a spot in the ACC championship game last Saturday. Checking in a 6-5 (2-5, ACC) the only solace the Canes have is to end the season with a winning record, snapping a three-game losing streak with a bowl game thereafter.

As the phrase goes, wait until next year. The Eagles, meanwhile, have lost two in a row sitting at 6-5 (3-4, ACC). They aim to defend the roost against the approaching storm. Boston College built up a strong run midway through the season winning five straight downing teams like Virginia and Georgia Tech. The streak was broken with a loss to Virginia Tech followed by last weekend’s 24-16 defeat to Pittsburgh.

WEEK 13 🙌

🗓️: November 24th
🆚: Boston College
📍: Alumni Stadium
⏰: 12:00 PM ET
📺: ABC
📻: @560WQAM #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/TCphYSjf05

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) November 20, 2023

Thomas Castellanos is the Eagles’ signal caller and also the team’s leading rusher. Wideout Lewis Bond is Castellanos’ go-to guy. Three-star Vinny DePalma defensively reinforces BC. Boston College is second in the ACC when it comes to the ground game. They are offering one last test for the Hurricanes who are well known for their success against the run. Miami is heavily favored to win as 10-point favorites.

Boston College

Thomas Castellanos

Insane fourth down conversion from Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos pic.twitter.com/PNBl939jQf

— Student Union Sports (@StudentUSports) September 2, 2023

This QB1 knows how to run and scramble out of trouble. Heading into the finale, Castellanos has compiled 1,995 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. On top of this, he’s rushed for 827 yards and an additional 10 TDs making him a clear dual threat for the Canes. The sophomore had a rough day against Pitt getting picked off twice as part of a 171-yard effort. Managing a TD in the process, Castellanos was sacked a season-high six times. Ouch.

Lewis Bond

Who needs a safety net when you've got Lewis Bond! 🦅@BCFootball | #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/JmF2jRLk4H

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 17, 2023

His name is Bond, Lewis Bond. Recording 42 catches for 565 yards, the sophomore from Chicago, Illinois has six TDs to his name for 2023 averaging 13.5 yards a catch. The top receiver for Castellanos, Bond is who Boston College turns to (among others) in search of big plays and first downs. Last weekend he hauled in five catches for 65 yards including a 24-yard touchdown on the Panthers. The U will have prepared accordingly for this fella. Contain Bond while rattling Castellanos’ cage the Hurricanes should be fine.

Vinny DePalma

Wow. Sluka fumbles with HC at the BC 28 and Vinny DePalma recovers. BC avoids a catastrophic loss & wins 31-28 5+ hours after the initial kick off. Wild day in Chestnut Hill @newftbj @BCEagleAction @Rivals @SickosCommittee @CFBNewEngland pic.twitter.com/dCUWypchwk

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) September 9, 2023

The leading tackler in BC. Accumulating 83 tackles including 37 solo, DePalma’s been credited with half a sack and a pass breakup. The consensus three-star athlete has the high energy motion and the eagerness to move about in close quarters but his mechanics is not a strong suit. Regardless, the sixth-year graduate student is a presence on the field the Hurricanes should not underestimate.

University of Miami

Te’Cory Couch

What a blitz from Te’Cory Couch pic.twitter.com/NKcktV2HG6

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 22, 2023

Since this is the final game of the regular season for the seniors, I figured to give them some attention. It’s their last appearance in a Canes uniform (sans the bowl game) and they may want to go out balling. For the year, Te’Cory Couch has 33 tackles, 21 of them solo, with a sack, three pass breakups, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. The cornerback has done his bit during the campaign and I wish him the best going forward wrapping up five years at Coral Gables.

Branson Deen

Branson Deen with a BIG sack to force a punt #GoCanes 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/g9lbHu9JqO

— QSportsMedia (@QSportsMedia2) October 28, 2023

The transfer from the Purdue Boilermakers appeared in five games for Miami making an impact in at least two. Collecting 15 tackles, four solo, including 2.5 sacks for ’23, Branson Deen dealt with an injury during the year limiting his presence. However, the contests involving Georgia Tech and Virginia come to mind when Deen produced defensive stops in crucial moments of those matchups. The aforementioned sacks ultimately caused the Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets to give up possession via punts. Playing against the Cardinals he tallied four tackles. The Eagles represent a last hurrah.

Jaden Davis

Jaden Davis with great coverage down the sideline #GoCanes 🧡💚 pic.twitter.com/HcurPu7d9t

— QSportsMedia (@QSportsMedia2) November 18, 2023

Man that was a scary collision last weekend between Couch and Jaden Davis, fortunately, the two seemed fine afterward. The defensive back came over from the Oklahoma Sooners recording 35 tackles, 27 of those solo adding on a sack, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Against NC State Davis stripped the ball from the quarterback resulting in a takeaway for the Canes. Although there were indeed moments like that time he was caught sleeping versus Georgia Tech that made fans shake their heads, the ex-Sooner was solid in several games like Temple. Davis has some chances left to make one last positive impact.

Impressions

Prior to week one, I wondered if the team could win in a cold environment in late November. The doubts still linger but I think the boys will finish off the disappointing year with a dub. As long as Tyler Van Dyke plays like he did versus Louisville and the defense reins in the Eagles they’ll win. Final score: Miami Hurricanes 27, Boston College 17.